Amiable Matty D’s ready for whatever role

(more...)

558 comments Add your comment

David O'Brien

February 25th, 2010
3:24 pm

Wow, that Hinske photo! Why would you pay that much money for underwear? Banana Republic? Wal-Mart for me cause they’re cheap. — TnBrian

I’m guessing he has a little more to spend on underwear than you. He’s got a $1 mill salary.

rammerjammer

February 25th, 2010
3:24 pm

Wouldn’t be shocked if Lowe was opening day again. KK’s shoulder is barking and Huddy is TJ recovering. Gotta be careful with those two. Meanwhile, Lowe stands there all sweaty and rarin’ to go.

dpelfrey

February 25th, 2010
3:25 pm

Read somewhere that Tony Pena Jr. is switching to pitching. I guess there’s no longer a place in MLB for a slick fielding shortstop that can’t hit his weight.

Rock On......

February 25th, 2010
3:25 pm

Scoots…..been around a pitcher or twelve. Not quite ready to annoint Hudson with a #1 status just yet. Again I mentioned above we have to give it a wait and see how he comes along kinda thing. Certainly (and hopefully) he has the ability to be a solid #1 guy again (and his ceiling is not a #4 guy). Maybe sooner than later but putting him 4th in the rotation is probably a safer bet than putting him #1 to start. If he pitches well enough to get the opening day nod after ST I would be very surprised. pleasantly surprised may I add.

Rock On….I also said repeatedly for about 9 mos. that Prado was the Braves best bet for 2nd base. How did that turn out?

TheManMike

February 25th, 2010
3:25 pm

Deep Center at the Ted is what?….400ft?

dmack2027

February 25th, 2010
3:26 pm

DOB,

Is there any talk of shutting Jair down for a week or so to allow this shoulder to heal? Clearly, there is something causing him pain. I would rather him be a couple weeks behind the other pitchers than lose him to a shoulder injury this year.

TnBrian

February 25th, 2010
3:26 pm

DOB, and you guessed right.

Rob from SC

February 25th, 2010
3:27 pm

I am still really concerned about Jurrjens

sidslidkid

February 25th, 2010
3:30 pm

TheManMike, yep… 401 to be exact.

Nativebird

February 25th, 2010
3:30 pm

Count on injuries. Shouldn’t we assume this by now? When will this organization get beyond “hoping” we stay healthy all year? It’s called depth. Building it. Which we didnt have 2 yrs ago, started to get back last year, and limited it mildly this offseason by keeping the 30 something 15 million guys and Tommy john guys, and dealing a sure Workhorse to NY for a journeyman outfielder.
once again, let’s “hope” Jurjens shoulder stays a mole hill.

Andrew in PA

February 25th, 2010
3:31 pm

braves on today espn baseball tonight ..right now

TnBrian

February 25th, 2010
3:31 pm

CF at Turner is 402 ft.

Slowhiteguy

February 25th, 2010
3:31 pm

Hinske will one day regret that tatoo…

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
3:32 pm

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20100225_Bill_Conlin__Two_areas_of_concern_for_stacked_Phillies.html
Bill Conlin of the Phillis.com has a good interesting article today about the Trouble and concern of the Phillis this yr. Additional of Pen Trouble he indicated that the phillis will be in big Trouble in case of Ruiz & Polanco go down with injuries, there’s Farm system not have a decent backup in those two position…We know is Ruiz going down Schneider will be replacing him, but after that no one in the Minor league, same in third base position.

sidslidkid

February 25th, 2010
3:33 pm

ugghhhh… some of these post are just impossible to read.

TnBrian

February 25th, 2010
3:33 pm

BSPN is right here … Phillies will be tough not only in our division, but in the entire NL. Damn them!

Rock On......

February 25th, 2010
3:34 pm

Jurrjens concerns me too Rob, Hudson concerns me, Lowe concerns me, KK concerns me, Hanson doesn’t concern me. When will Cox pull a Houston-that concerns me.

owl hunter

February 25th, 2010
3:34 pm

How is Melky a journeyman when the Braves are his second team?

Daybed Wagmoe

February 25th, 2010
3:35 pm

Say what you will about tattoos and that sort of thing, but that is some mighty impressive art right there.

sidslidkid

February 25th, 2010
3:35 pm

Daybed Wagmoe, agreed.

TennesseePaul

February 25th, 2010
3:36 pm

Read somewhere that Tony Pena Jr. is switching to pitching. I guess there’s no longer a place in MLB for a slick fielding shortstop that can’t hit his weight.

In that same article you read that not only could he not hit his weight, he was one of the worst offensive players in the history of the game. I don’t think MLB ever had a place for that.

Though Payne used to come on here and boast of the merits of the DH… lingering on a line of logic concerning the joy he found in watch the best on the field and then the best with a bat…. which was immediately hit with full offensive and defensive squads in baseball and the need for a 35 man MLB roster… in which case you have your Tony Pena Jr’s every where and your Adam Dunn’s up and down the line up…. oh those were the days.

Bailey

February 25th, 2010
3:36 pm

Jersey Gil,
If I were the Phillies, I wouldnt worry about the 3B problem. If anything happens to Polanco, there’s a certain 3B that used to play in the NL East that will be sitting on the bench doing nothing up in Boston. I’m sure it wouldnt take much to get him.

Gil In Mechanicsville

February 25th, 2010
3:41 pm

Yep, I like the Diaz trade from the beginning too. If somebody has kept all the blog records from way back then, you could verify it. If not, well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it… :-)

DOB… Is Carroll coming down to spring training this year?

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
3:42 pm

Bailey..you right, but the talking of town is the Phillis top the payroll, not much money left to deal and get Mike Lowell or Beltre,
You don’t going to see Jason Werth next year with the Phillis also, he will be a free agent.

cavebird

February 25th, 2010
3:44 pm

Dave: Ricardo F. Rodriguez pitched 3.1 Innings for the Royals’s High-A affiliate in the California Leauge (High Desert) in 2006, with a 5.40 ERA. He has not pitched in major-league affiliated baseball since.

Bailey

February 25th, 2010
3:44 pm

Jersey Gil, everyone always says at the beginning of the year that payroll is maxed out. Then, when someone goes down and they need a fill in, money all of a sudden appears.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
3:45 pm

Hey Gil What up body…How is the Snow over there.

David O'Brien

February 25th, 2010
3:45 pm

Cavebird, thanks for the Ricardo F. Rodriguez update. Well done.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
3:46 pm

Bailey …Boston own Lowell 12mil this yr..yay..For a bench Player.

Andrew in PA

February 25th, 2010
3:47 pm

they are about to talk about heyward after the break on espn,they should a video shot of him and hes a beast

lexbrave

February 25th, 2010
3:47 pm

Bailey

February 25th, 2010
3:49 pm

Jersey Gil, that’s why I think Boston would jump at the chance to get rid of him. They will probably pay a good bit of the remaining salary for someone to take him.

dpelfrey

February 25th, 2010
3:51 pm

Jersey Gil, the Phils could plug in Corky Miller and Geoff Blum and that offense will still score 6 or 7 runs a game.

Their bullpen does appear to be a potential weakness. If Lidge is shaky again, that will make a big difference. If he’s in 2008 form, that team could win 95 games without breaking a sweat.

Andrew in PA

February 25th, 2010
3:55 pm

nice stuff on heyward

TnBrian

February 25th, 2010
3:55 pm

Looks like they like Heyward a lot.

sidslidkid

February 25th, 2010
3:56 pm

“If [Lidge is] in 2008 form, that team could win 95 games without breaking a sweat.” – dpelfrey

That’s a lot of wins. I think they might have to sweat to get 95. That’s a pretty tough mark to get to.

TnBrian

February 25th, 2010
3:58 pm

Andrew, I think me and you are the only ones with ESPN on.

Kruk compares Heyward to Strawberry. Thinks DS had more speed and athleticism, but Heyward has more raw power than DS had.

bowman

February 25th, 2010
3:59 pm

You’ve got to love Matt Diaz. Comes to work everyday. Gives his employer 100% effort. No prima dona whining or complaining. Lots of problems wouldn’t have happened in American businesses if there were more Matt Diaz-type people doing the work. I wish him nothing but the best.

bowman
– -
“Art will always be Art.” – Goethe

sidslidkid

February 25th, 2010
4:00 pm

“I think me and you are the only ones with ESPN on.”

I wish I was. Hopefully they’ll air it again tonight or on the web.

dpelfrey

February 25th, 2010
4:00 pm

Don’t forget the Phillies get Romero back. He was a huge loss for their bullpen last year and the Braves have never hit against him.

Andrew in PA

February 25th, 2010
4:00 pm

haha chris singleton just gave diaz a haircut on baseball tonight

DiamondbackMac

February 25th, 2010
4:03 pm

I heard that Strawberry comparison also. Kruk is and idiot.

ncscoots

February 25th, 2010
4:03 pm

Rock On….I also said repeatedly for about 9 mos. that Prado was the Braves best bet for 2nd base. How did that turn out?

You can bring that up at the same time you bring up all the times you were wrong, LOL. Otherwise, it’s an empty note.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
4:03 pm

dpelfrey :

The Phillis article is base of the weakness of their minor league in that two position, in the trade of Halladay they trade there best Catcher prospect.
I understand that between Utley,Howard,Rollins & Victorino can score a ton of runs, but this team still have some Hole IMO.

dpelfrey

February 25th, 2010
4:05 pm

sid…

The Phillies are a very solid ballclub, top to bottom. Last year, Hamels was pretty bad and their bullpen was atrocious and they still won 93 games. If Hamels and Lidge pitch like they did in 2008 and the offense achieves 80% of what it did last year…this team should win 95 easy.

Damn, I sound like a Phillies fan…I’ll shut up now.

TnBrian

February 25th, 2010
4:07 pm

There are some comparisons in Longoria and Heyward as far as potential. Longoria put up 27 HR, 272 avg, 85 RBI in his first year. He also had 122 KO’s with 46 BB. I think it’d be safe to say Heyward could match those numbers and maybe do better in the KO/BB stat.

Couch Tater

February 25th, 2010
4:07 pm

Gil In Mechanicsville,

Stick to your story. There were 82 comments on the 2/22/06 blog (when the players reported) and most were comments from TennPaul about the depth of pitching in the farm and the the new release by Jenny Lewis. :)

Bay Area Steve

February 25th, 2010
4:07 pm

bowman,

good stuff, but thought I’d mention: it’s pre madonna. It’d be a crime shame, absurbed even, if you continued using the wrong spelling. Don’t be and idiot.

Fire Homer.

And, would somebody play a frickin’ baseball game, and would somebody else please televise it? I’m losin’ it here.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
4:08 pm

dpelfrey…Romero Update….He problaly has to stay back in Florida for a extended ST…He’s not totally healthty. Accordly interview couple day back.

owl hunter

February 25th, 2010
4:11 pm

Romero also got popped for PEDs. He could regress.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
4:11 pm

dpelfrey

Damn, I sound like a Phillies fan…I’ll shut up now…Good thinking…
But because i live in Phillis territory and My wife is a huge Phillis Fan i have the advantage to know little better of the Phil.

GO BRAVES

TnBrian

February 25th, 2010
4:12 pm

Well, if some of you see the ESPN re-run later I just caution you there’s some Yankees/A-Rod talk at the beginning. It’s ESPN and they can’t help it. Ravech riles the crowd up by being a Yankees cheerleader and Kruk basically calls the fans booing A-Rod jealous of him.

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:13 pm

Last reprt from Dark Star for The Artist. Heading back tomorrow and trading all this $%$%&**&^$@@%&(*()ing pollen (I have allergies) for 20+ inches of snow.

Again – I caution about these rocket shots you’re hearing about. They’re all coming off of Chino and Hubbard. To this point (and especially today) Lowe, Hanson, Dunn and Moylan have been basically unhittable. Moylan’s stuff was as nasty as I’ve ever seen it and the best anyone could manage (at least while I was watching) was a sharp grounder to 2B by Heyward. Lowe’s sinker was diving and Scott Proctor looked really good, too.

However., McCann was lining 400 foot shots off of Chino. McLouth? Not even warning track power.

ncscoots

February 25th, 2010
4:15 pm

Last year, Hamels was pretty bad and their bullpen was atrocious and they still won 93 games.

True. The division looks to be stronger top-to-bottom this year, though, and that might make a difference. I also have some trouble with the notion that Werth can have a year like last, that Ibanez will be able to get out of the rocking chair again, stuff like that. It’s a very good ballclub, regardless of any warts, and they’ll be tough to beat as long as Howard and Utley are breathing. But they aren’t a juggernaut, to just lie down in the road for.

dpelfrey

February 25th, 2010
4:16 pm

Jersey I didn’t even read the article. I agree if they have a key injury to any of their main guys they will have a tough time finding internal options to compensate. I was just saying they could plug any warm bodies at third and catcher as long as that core of players at the other positions stay healthy.

I still can’t believe they view that trade as a win. Lee, D’Arnaud, Taylor and Drabek for Halladay and three fringe prospects. Even the most optimistic person could call that a wash at best.

VP

February 25th, 2010
4:19 pm

Matty had a nice little segment on BT.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
4:19 pm

Lew..thanks for the report…Don’t worry about the Snow…The Weather man did it again…They downgraded the amount of snow…to us we going to get today 4-6 in and get what?….not even flurries…Now they say that tonight should be the heavist snow.

BravesFanLostInOhio

February 25th, 2010
4:20 pm

Rumor has it that Diaz’s faith plays a big role in why he acts the way he does. Just thought I would throw that out there :-)

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:22 pm

Jersey Gil-Dude plowed our driveway yesterday after Kathy measured 20 inches that had already fallen – had another nine inches since and they have to plow again.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
4:23 pm

dpelfrey ..yeah must of People that i talk to not like the Trade, My wife also, they want to keep Lee here….If Halladay have a bad year , Ruben Amaro has to leave town.The cather they trade is Marson, a good prospect.

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:27 pm

It IS a fact that Philly depleted their minor leagues in a major fashion with that deal – and they don’t have as deep a farm system as the Braves do. I understand why Ruben Jr. made the deal he did, but I think it was somewhat shortsighted. They really didn’t think they could re-sign Lee and wanted a true Ace for the next few years. It made them sign Blanton long term – not the greatest move IMO (but of course Ruben never asked me).

Willy Wally

February 25th, 2010
4:27 pm

Kruk compares Heyward to Strawberry. Thinks DS had more speed and athleticism, but Heyward has more raw power than DS had.

What?!?!?!? Heyward may eventually prove himself to be the more pure hitter, but it’s ridiculous to say that Heyward has more raw power than Straw. Strawberry .247 ISO is the 42nd best isolated power rate in the entire history of the game. This means only about 40 something men in the entire history of the game had more raw power than Strawberry. And you shouldn’t need stats to tell you that. You just had to watch the guy play. But, looking at his ISO, you also have to consider that he played the majority of his games in a park that wasn’t friendly to homers, and in a pre-steroid era where it actually meant something to hit 25 homers.

I mean, seriously, let’s see Heyward be something more than a fender bender in spring training parking lots before we start saying he’s got more raw power than Strawberry.

BravePack12352

February 25th, 2010
4:27 pm

Lew

So McLouth wasn’t hitting well? Or was just not hitting for power?

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
4:28 pm

Lew; Wow…I never saw so much Snow in my Life…not even in Alaska whwn i was there for a couple day.

BravePack12352

February 25th, 2010
4:30 pm

From what I remember of McLouth’s power is that when he hits it out, it’s a seed and gets out quick. I don’t recall any home runs he hits to be towering shots that are way out, so if he’s hitting line drives then he should be good to go.

Nova Scotia Steve

February 25th, 2010
4:32 pm

Yeeaaahhh so i guess Heyward isn’t going to be our opening day RF’er (sarcasim)

Willy Wally

February 25th, 2010
4:32 pm

Remember when the NBA was building the legend of Shaq, so they rigged the rims in Shaq’s first few seasons so that he kept tearing down baskets (on national television, of course)?

The cynical side of me says someone went all Elin Woods on Manno’s sunroof, and now he’s blaming (or touting) Heyward.

David O'Brien

February 25th, 2010
4:32 pm

I finally saw A Serious Man last night. Loved it. Best Coen Bros. movie since The Man Who Wasn’t There, in my opinion. — mattdrum

I thought it was great, too. One of my favorite movies of 2009. But I wouldn’t go so far as you did. Certainly didn’t think it was as good as No Country for Old Men, just to name the most-recent one of the Coens’ movies that I thought was better. It was quite a bit better than Burn After Reading (though I did like that, too).

Ted M

February 25th, 2010
4:32 pm

DOB – Is there any video of Heyward taking BP?

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:32 pm

BP12352-No real surprise if you read the blog regularly, that I’m not the biggest Nate McLouth fan, but he hasn’t looked all that great – even against Chino, who almost everyone tags. Mostly routine fly balls to right.

It IS just the first week of training, though-more than enough time to get his stroke down-it’s still early. I sincerely hope he has a year that makes me eat my words and really like him as a player. Still waiting to be impressed, but I AM willing.

JOE

February 25th, 2010
4:32 pm

Its neat that there are so many guys on here from the North-east! I live in upstate NY and I’ve had about enough of the snow to last me a lifetime. I’m applying to grad schools in the south to get myself some sun year round. I can tell you graduation cant come soon enough!

Nova Scotia Steve

February 25th, 2010
4:34 pm

We haven’t even played a game yet and this guy (Heyward) has already won a spot.

I think the Braves have already made up their mind on this guy. And we have what one bench spot and two bullpen spots.

Looks like this could be a yawn until Opening Day.

The ONLY concern i have is this starting pitching business with Jurrjens…

Ted M

February 25th, 2010
4:35 pm

A Serious Man – average. I’m waiting, really waiting, for “True Grit” Christmas day 2010. Burn After Reading way less then average.

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:35 pm

Willy Wally – Maybe you would have a point if some of us here hadn’t actually witnessed the shots or heard the crunching Coke truck and breaking glass when he hit them. No joke – it actually happened – even if they were against Hubbard and not a pitcher.

Nova Scotia Steve

February 25th, 2010
4:35 pm

No Country for Old Men was an excellent film…really really like that one

Ted M

February 25th, 2010
4:36 pm

McLouth just needs time to adjust to his new contacts. I think he might have his best year.

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:37 pm

Ted-One can always hope.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
4:38 pm

Lew,Dob…Did you think That Hudson will Pitch Tuesday again the Mets?

bravesgrl4life

February 25th, 2010
4:38 pm

Thrillhouse 1:21 – Couldn’t tell ya. No, I followed my then-boyfriend to the Atlanta/NE Ga area. I’ve been married to him 13 years now, so I guess it was a good thing. Plus, it put me that much closer to my Braves – I was already a huge fan.

Rock On......

February 25th, 2010
4:38 pm

Scoots….yep,I have to jump up and down when I am right because I doubt I am above the Mendoza-line on predictions, lol.

Let’s just say I am not as giddy over the Braves pitching staff as Don Sutton. Way too many if’s right now for me so that is why I am waiting for ST to play out. That was true “before” the JJ injury. Losing Vazquez was HUGE which plays heavily into the “if” situation. I’m keeping ol’ Hudson at the #4 spot and hope JJ can be at full-strength when the bell rings. As it stands now the only two pitchers I feel good about are Hanson and KK.

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:39 pm

Gil-I’ve got no idea.

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:42 pm

Rock On Dadgum-And you could be very, very wrong. They look excellent and are deeper than anyone even imagines.

Today, the hitters could not even touch Lowe, Hanson and particularly Moylan. And I mean that literally. Didn’t see a single ball leave the infield. Proctor is ready to go now.

Slowhiteguy

February 25th, 2010
4:44 pm

Heyward 6′5″ 250 lbs. at 20 years old. I only wonder what he weighs at 35. Not trying to make any point other than wondering how he will project.

nolie

February 25th, 2010
4:45 pm

I’ve heard noting but good things about it and I usually love the Coen boys movies… SID

I thought it was one of their lesser movies. anything by them is at least decent to good, but I haven’t cared ast much for the last two since No Country which I loved.

ncscoots

February 25th, 2010
4:45 pm

Let’s just say I am not as giddy over the Braves pitching staff as Don Sutton

Well, damn, what sane man is, LOL? And I for sure don’t want to revisit the Vazquez-and-all-caps-HUGE foofaraw. :-)

Just the same, I believe I’ll keep ol’ Hudson on Opening Day, until and unless something happens to make that not doable.

nolie

February 25th, 2010
4:45 pm

This ones for nolie, and it is half-hearted so don’t hate me. THICK

you’re probably right Thick. Lowe would likely have less trouble there than Javi will.fly ball pitchers pitching in small parks can be an incendiary combo

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:45 pm

And even at that weight, no one would even think of calling him heavy. Heyward is still quite slender. All the weight is in the shoulders and arms.

Jersey Gil

February 25th, 2010
4:48 pm

Lew …I just was talking about Proctor with my wife last night..I told her that write down that name this season…This guys has a good stuff before his injuries. I Think that Proctor will have a good season this yr. for the Bravos…

Rock On......

February 25th, 2010
4:48 pm

Lew…that is great news. Sounds like a lot of low scoring games getting ready to buck the rule of 64 in 2010, lol. You lend credence to my prediction of Lowe being the opening day starter. Seriously though look for the bats to start catching up a little as the ST progresses. It is early. By the way are you familiar with the artist Jack Davis?

dpelfrey

February 25th, 2010
4:51 pm

Strawberry hit some MONSTER shots in his day. I remember seeing highlights of that one at Busch that hit the clock in center field.

And I imagine if Heyward is as big and strong as it seems, he could hit bombs like that too. But, I’ll trade the tape measure shots for a .300 average and 100 RBI’s. That’s just me, I want wins, not highlights. But the highlights are nice too if he can do both.

Judging by his minor league stats so far, it seems like he values solid contact more than hitting the ball further than the next guy. That’s a positive sign.

ncscoots

February 25th, 2010
4:52 pm

Sounds like a lot of low scoring games getting ready to buck the rule of 64 in 2010, lol.

Gawd, that’ll turn the blog into an in-game nightmare. That kind of game is too easily turned on a bad hop, a bad pitch, or plain bad luck. This joint will be hip-deep in bandwagoner bile, LOL.

Lew

February 25th, 2010
4:54 pm

Dadgum – Not offhand unless he used to work for Mad Magazine? Yes, it is early, but I’m seeing an intensity level (from day one) and winning attitude like never before i past ST. Maybe it’s because of Bobby’s last year – maybe because players like Matty, Chipper, Glaus and a few others really have something to prove.

Chipper gave that crooked grin of his and said yes emphaticall when I asked him if he was going to have a breakout year. Therse Duder’s are quite serious that they casn beat the Philles and win the division.

Seeing the pitching I have, makes me a believer. We’re deep. Mike Dunn has looked great (Nice Dude, too -keeping the ball down – like all of them have) and if not for the quick emergence of Proctor, I think he would have made the pen. Jesse Chavez is looking good, too.

yeah c'mon

February 25th, 2010
4:56 pm

Matt Diaz is my hero.

Salamander

February 25th, 2010
5:04 pm

This joint will be hip-deep in bandwagoner bile, LOL.

Ahhh, the ol’ blog during actual games is such a sight to see and a joyous pleasure to read.

hit it high

February 25th, 2010
5:05 pm

Goin to White House BBQ in Fairview Tn tonight you all wish you could have the white sauce on “the bird”

BravePack12352

February 25th, 2010
5:05 pm

Lew

Did you see Schafer hit today or was he shut down again today to rest his wrist?

nolie

February 25th, 2010
5:15 pm

The guy just can’t hit righties, Ray

a 722 OPS ain’t great but it does not equate to “just can’t hit righties”. It’s about as good as Melky hits them and he bats from the left against them.

J-bone

February 25th, 2010
5:16 pm

agree – our only hope is if chip carey drinks.

Eric from MO

February 25th, 2010
5:22 pm

Lew “Seeing the pitching I have”

What team do you own?

nolie

February 25th, 2010
5:29 pm

oh, pooh on all then ISOs and WARPs etc WW. everybody knows that JHey will make Strawberry look like a little fruit

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